The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-09-29

lE<~G'
DISCUSSING THE COMING OF 81. E. a. "
Half an hour passed, and the distant
CHATTER of the crazy stage coach was
heard coming round the bend in the
road at the entrance of the village.
The lamp was carried into the sitting
room, and Captain Flag, with his wife
and Polly, who had just arrived, in
compliance with Miss Smiths express
invitation, were shown into the quaint,
old-time room, followed, moment or
two later, by the MasOns-Miss Smith,
wearing her best alapaca, bringing up
the rear.
There was brief period of waiting,
in which every one spoke in a sort of
undertone, and presently steps were
heard on the piazza, whereat Miss
Smith nervously hurried out, to en-
counter the gaze of the tallest and
stiffest gentleman she had ever seen,
who had just entered the door with
Tad.
"This is Mr.. J. H. Atherton-Miss
Smith," said Tad, awkwardly.
Miss Smith courtesied, primly. The
tall gentleman inclined his head about
ar inch and half, after which cere-
mony he was ushered into the sitting
room, and formally presented to the
assembled company, whose presence
he evidently regarded with great sur
prise.
'.Bein' a lone woman" explained
Miss Smith, 81 thought best, for my
sake and Tad's here, to ask in these
frien's and neighbors of mine, so S to
make sure that ev'ry thing IL be done
straight and square"
MIR. Anterior did not seem particu-
larly well pleased with the explanation,
but he silently bowed, and seated him.
self in Miss Smiths rocking chair.
Then, mounting pair of gold-bowed
eyeglasses across his Roman nose, he
glance over the top of them, and
cleared his throat in an impressive
manner.
''This-er-youth, whom l dimly re-
member having seen once BEFORE"
said Mr.. Anterior, with dignified move
ment of his slender white hand toward
Tad, who stood near the old secretary.
has, while on the way to your house.
informed me concerning the manner
in which-a-my property came into
his possession, and 1 presume his-er
-veracity need not be called into
question:
Miss Smith shifted audibly.
Hes as truthful boy as I ever
saw" she said, concisely, and Captain
Flagg was heard to murmur that NO
truthfuller one never chopped down
cherry tree with his little Ratchet.
That being the case" continued the
speaker, who had ponderous way OF
moving and speaking, 1--WE will proceed
to the business in hand"
Drawing a notebook from his pocket,
Mr.. Anterior opened it, and began
reading:
Contents of sachel as follows: Item
first, white pasteboard box, containing
certain articles of jewelry, two wit;
One gold star pendant, containing
seventeen diamonds with large straw
colored stone in center; one pair sol
itaire ear drops, 50 carats weight
each; one diamond ring; one heavy
gold bracelet. Value of the whole
six thousand five hundred and fifty dol
lars. These valuables," he observed,
pausing moment to note the effect of
his announcement, ''are family jewels,
now belonging to myself as sole sur
viving heir of the late Atherton family"
''Item second" he continued, re-
ferring again to the notebook, family
papers, as follows: Power of attorney
from my diseased brother, S. Z. Ather-
ton; deed of Atherton homestead; will |
of late General Cleveland Atherton''-
That's enough" CURLY interrupted
Miss Smith; ''you have the key to the
sachel with you, s'pose."
81 have, madam" was the reply.
"Then," returned Miss Smith, NOV.
ing toward the secretary drawer, and
proceeding to insert the key. eff the
things in the sachel corresponds to them
you've mentioned, why
Here Miss Smith stopped abruptly.
The drawer was unlocked. With a face
paler than ashes, she jerked it open!-
it was empty!
'Robbersr' she gasped. dropping in
to the nearest chair. ''Thieyesr' she
screamed, Historically, as they all rose
to their feet and came crowding about
her. Burglars she shrieked, in
still higher key, "and it's all been done
since six o'clock-that sachel was in |
there then, for 1 see it with my OWE
eyes! And now-it's gone-gone!I |
And Miss Smiths voice failed her; SC |
she began to sob.
At this startling piece of news Mr..
Atherton looked incredulous, Captain |
Flagg and his wife astounded, Polly |
Tad bewildered, Mrs. Mason |
and Mr.. Mason overwhelmed! |
by Jover' muttered the latter gen.
tleman, as sudden thought seemed to
strike him; and, leaving the little group |
staring dumbly at each other, he bolted |
into his oxvr ,-<.<.v,,